Profile of the Voters

Democrats

Mrs. Clinton won the hard-fought Democratic race in California, where both she and Mr. Obama had sought the state's wealth of 370 delegates to be chosen on Tuesday. According to early returns, Mrs. Clinton had strong showings in Los Angeles, Santa Clara and San Diego. Early exit polls showed Mr. Obama running strongly among African-Americans, white men, younger voters and liberals. Mrs. Clinton did well among Hispanics, white women, moderates and those who described themselves as "somewhat conservative." Those who identified themselves as Democrats tended to choose Mrs. Clinton; "independents or something else" overwhelmingly voted for Mr. Obama. A majority of Californians who were surveyed said they made up their minds in the last month. The economy was ranked most often as the top issue facing the nation, followed by the war in Iraq and health care. There were signs that both Democratic camps were growing polarized; only half of the voters said they would be satisfied if either candidate became the nominee.

Republicans

John McCain won California's Republican primary, where, according to early exit polls, voters were as concerned with illegal immigration as they were with the economy, the crucial issue in many other states. Early returns showed Mr. McCain leading Mr. Romney all over the state, from San Diego in the south, to Siskiyou County in the north. The early exit polls showed that 13 percent of voters were Hispanic, and they split their votes among Mr. McCain and Mr. Romney. Many Republican voters said illegal immigrants should be deported, and they voted for Mr. Romney over Mr. McCain by 2 to 1. Evangelicals made up about one-third of the Republican primary voters, according to the exit polls, and a plurality of them supported Mr. Romney. He also did well among weekly churchgoers, while those who said they attended church occasionally supported Mr. McCain. Mr. McCain was seen by almost half the voters as the candidate most qualified to be commander in chief. The structure of California's delegate-rich primary, in which the winners of each congressional district receive all three of the district's delegates, prompted an intense war of strategies.

Details of the Nominating Process

Democrats

February 5, 2008

370pledged delegates

71unpledged delegates

Primary
(Semi-closed)

On primary day — Feb. 5 — 370 of the 441 delegates are allocated proportionally to presidential candidates; 241 of those 370 delegates are allocated based on the vote in each of the state’s 53 Congressional districts. In addition, 129 delegates are allocated to candidates based on the primary vote statewide. On May 18, the remaining 71 delegates are selected from among party leaders and elected representatives.

Republicans

February 5, 2008

170pledged delegates

3unpledged delegates

Primary
(Closed)

All but three of 173 delegates are allocated to presidential candidates in the Feb. 5 primary. Three from each of the state’s 53 Congressional districts are allocated to presidential candidates with the winner in each district receiving all three of that district’s delegates. In addition, 11 at-large delegates are allocated to the candidate receiving the greatest number of votes statewide. Three party leaders will attend the nominating convention as unpledged delegates.